Hamman replaces "Babalu" in June 6 Strikeforce fight with Cavalcante

After Strikeforce world light-heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral was forced off a June Strikeforce card due to the pending birth of a child, company officials were on the search for someone to fight his opponent, Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante (7-1).

Although the organization hasn’t officially announced the bout, Sobral’s spot will be filled by EliteXC vet Jared Hamman (10-1), according to Sherdog.

The Cavalcante-Hamman fight will be part of the televised main card for “Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields,” which takes place June 6.

The event, which airs on Showtime, is slated for the Scottrade Center in St. Louis and is headlined by a middleweight bout between Robbie Lawler (16-4) and Jake Shields (22-4-1).

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported on Monday that Sobral had pulled out of the bout after learning his second daughter, “Sophia,” is expected to be born on May 24.

“Obviously, the duty and honor of being a father surpasses the duty to defend his belt,” said Sobral’s manager and lawyer, Richard Wilner. “We informed Strikeforce within 48 hours of speaking with the doctor They were very understanding and professional.”

The highly touted Cavalcante last fought for EliteXC after a two-fight stint in the IFL. The Brazilian went 3-0 with three first-round knockouts for the now-defunct EliteXC organization, which included a TKO of Travis Galbraith during his most recent bout in July.

Hamman, who fought in three consecutive ShoXC events while under contract to EliteXC, last competed in August 2008, when he defeated and avenged a controversial earlier defeat to Poai Suganuma. The loss was the first of his career and the only blemish on an otherwise perfect record, which includes stoppages (eight via knockout) in all 10 of his career victories.